Reviews

La isla de las mujeres del mar by Lisa See

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carole888's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

libraryjen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging medium-paced

4.0

This book took me a little bit to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. I had expected something completely different because I've read several Lisa See books before. Most recently, I read <i>Lady Tan's Circle of Women</i>, and it just made me so angry. When I first started this book, I was really excited at the freedom of the Jeju women, specifically the haenyeos. Eventually, I just got super frustrated because it seemed like, to my Americanized 2024 eyes, that they had just gained a tiny bit of freedom compared to the monstrous amount of responsibility that had taken on. So they weren't any better off than the Chinese women I read about in Lady Tan.
Overall, this book was a fascinating look at a small part of Korea and Korean culture throughout the 1900s. I had no idea about any of it or about the Japanese Occupation during World War II or the horrible things the Americans allowed to happen during the Korean War. I was simultaneously ashamed and horrified by the actions of the Americans.
This is another fascinating book by Lisa See. If you enjoy historical fiction, this one is highly recommended.

yew676's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

tarabrynn's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

chloe16's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sarmenta_99's review against another edition

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5.0

Set on Jeju Island, The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See is a captivating story that immerses readers into the lives of haenyeo—fearless female divers who risk their lives to provide for their families. From the very first chapter, we are introduced to Young-Sook and Mi-ja, two women whose friendship and fate are intertwined by love, sacrifice, and the tumultuous history of their island.

What sets this book apart is how it highlights the role reversals in Jeju’s matriarchal society. Women are the breadwinners, diving into the sea, while men stay behind—a stark contrast to traditional gender roles. I loved how See brought this dynamic to life, flipping everything we think we know about societal norms. Yet, as beautiful as the friendship and cultural exploration are, war and political unrest soon cast a dark shadow over the island.

Lisa See has once again brought to life a part of history that I knew nothing about, weaving in so many important lessons about culture, family, duty, and the strength of women. This is not just a story about two women—it’s a story about survival, sacrifice, and the power of the sea that connects them all.

Quotes:

• “Here I was, going to work, helping to feed and care for my family, and becoming a part of the long tradition of haenyeo. Suddenly, I felt like a woman.” (Page 12)
• “Every woman who enters the sea carries a coffin on her back.”
• “The sea is better than your mother. The sea is forever.”